If you heard about a movie so good that no other entertainment could compete with it, would you watch it? If you knew it would destroy your life because after watching it all you would want to do is watch it again repeatedly and if not watching it talk only about it... would you still watch it? That's the topic our first article explores, it's a difficult one to answer. Next up there are two articles, each to balance the other, they discuss opposing viewpoints of whether to be pro-library or anti-library, both have some good points of view and need to be considered. And there's more, so when you've found a quite time this weekend, grab your favourite beverage and enjoy reading more, and thinking more.

image source Several years ago when I heard Disney had acquired the Star Wars franchise and were planing on releasing a movie every year for the next 80 years (or so) I was excited. During the 70's, my formative years, there was plenty of science fiction franchises on TV which kept me going, like Blakes 7, Doctor Who, Logans Run and Battlestar Galactica but Star Wars: A New Hope was my absolute favourite movie, I couldn't get enough of it and all the merchandise. I still have my collection of figurines, minus the guns and plastic capes. It wasn't until I watched the remakequel, The Force Awakens that I realised nostalgia wasn't going to get me through the next 80 years of Disney's Star Wars. I felt a little deflated but still enjoyed the movie, even though the death of Han Solo still brings a tear to my eye. Rogue One turned up and I was expecting to be disappointed, but enjoyed the film, even though a lot of others didn't. Then came The Last Jedi...

Looking Back - The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2017 Today my children were discussing time travel and what might be needed to do so, my daughter decided all she needed was ' Some soft comfy cushions for the floor and something to snuggle in case you get scared! ' What great advice! Lets do some time travelling ourselves by taking a look back over 2017 and see what the best selling Science Fiction and Fantasy books were. I've reviewed Amazon's and Barnes and Noble's best selling list and compiled a list of the top five . Two omissions which I was surprised didn't make the list was Nineteen Eighty Four , where sales of this book rose, in January 2017, these sales were seven times more than same time last year, 2016, and also The Handmaid’s Tale which Amazon Charts listed as the Most Read book of 2017. I've only read the last book on the list, Norse Mythology , but most of these are on my list of books to read in the near future. Which on...

Are we ' improving ' ourselves to death? That's the topic our first article looks at. With the glut of self-improvement books and guru's out there today it's interesting to step back and take a look at this ' from the outside '. Check out the greatest books of all times, as voted by one hundred and twenty five authors, it's interesting to see what's in there and what's not. For the writers out there, I have two articles, one about creating a coherent fantasy language and the four elements of Epic story telling, but good reads. And in technology this week we meet the 89 year old man who is updating an old idea about moving trains from A to B. So when you have some time to relax this weekend, grab your favourite beverage and have a read through the following articles.

Agatha Christie meets George Orwell ... a fascinating and original plot Publishers Weekly Another dystopian novel, for lovers of conspiracy and thrillers. The Dying Game is set in 2037 of an alternative future, and looks to have shades of And Then There Were None (by Agatha Christie) Take a bit of alternate history, a dose of The Hunger Games, a little Handmaid’s Tale, and dash of Orwell and Dave Eggers’ The Circle, and you’d have The Dying Game. Set in a near-future dystopia where the Soviet Union never fell, the novel centers on Anna Francis, a bureaucrat assigned to observe the participants of a top secret intelligence project. Six candidates are locked in a house and told a murderer is among them – who will take control, who will crack under the pressure, and more importantly is anyone safe? If you've read it let me know what you think. A deliciously creepy novel revolving around a terrific paradigm shift: The job you think you’re doing? That’s not the jo...

Welcome to Weekend Reads, the Science Fiction and Fantasy community had some sad news this week with the passing of Ursula K. Le Guin , probably best know as the author of A Wizard of Earthsea . She has received many awards including the Hugo, Nebula and National Book Award to name a few. You can find out more about her here on goodreads . The first article this week is from one of my favourite blogs, Tor.com and takes a look at Ursula K. Le Guin writings and gives you something to really think about. Next up there is an article on how NOT to read this year but Jon Bloom . In it he argues that what you read will shape not only what you think, but how you think. Life is short so you need to be discerning in what you read this year. Some food for thought it aligns with what I try to promote here on this blog. There is also a tech and science article which may blow your mind and change how you look at the earth and driver-less technology. So when it's time to relax this...

I recommend that you lay your hands on a copy. Ann Leckie Dystopian fiction has seen a rise in popularity over the last year and if you're looking for a dystopian novel which feels like it's doing something different, this may be the novel for you. Here is a story with an intriguing premise: objects in this universe have to be constantly recognised and named otherwise they disappear. They need to be labelled for their function otherwise they cease to be useful, for example, a chair has to be label 'chair' or it turns to goo. The residents have to be constantly vigilant lest they lose important possessions. In this world where physical objects are temporary the inhabitants react to this by creating a  rigid and unchanging society.  You've got to admit that sounds pretty interesting. An instant classic. Jeff VanderMeer